Former Transit Tech star Richard Williams has landed six scholarship offers in less than a week. Photo: Denis Gostev

ATLANTIC CITY — Richard Williams grabbed the rebound and darted down court. He took four forceful dribbles while keeping his head up, spun around his man with the athleticism of a point guard and softly dropped in a finger-roll as a skilled shooting guard might.

A gasp was heard through the crowd of Division I college coaches, a “did you see that?” murmur as the ones not familiar with the former Transit Tech star searched their packets for his name while others nodded their head in approval, almost in unison.

Even before the breathtaking move, the New York Lightning’s 6-foot-4 wing had made a name for himself this month, impressing coaches with his versatility, strength and skill-set, landing his first six scholarship offers in less than a week. That was just a summation of what Williams may soon bring to a Division I program after a year of prep school, an exclamation point to his emergence.

“I knew I could play at this level,” he said. “I finally got my opportunity thanks to my coaches. I’m thankful for that.”

Williams entered the summer with plenty to prove. Despite two solid years at Transit Tech, he was without an offers and held limited interest. He missed most of last summer with a serious right knee injury, costing him valuable exposure.

“I’ve always been around,” he said. “I never performed.”

He still traveled with the Lightning, picturing this July. He’s been a major cog in the Lightning’s solid season, its first as a Nike-sponsored program in the Elite Youth Basketball League. His emergence began in earnest last week as the Lightning reached the Nike Invitational finals in Augusta, Ga. and picked up where he left off in Atlantic City the last few days, as the Lightning went 4-1.

The offers have come as fast and furious as that coast-to-coast drive. First came Kent State Sunday night, on his way back from Georgia, then St. Bonaventure and Duquesne early in the week. Thursday, Canisius, St. Peter’s and Manhattan followed after the three schools took in yet another impressive display. DePaul, East Carolina, Hofstra and Florida International are all very interested.

“Honestly, I think I deserve it,” he said. “I’m very excited.”

One Division I coach who is recruiting Williams thinks he can be an all-conference player at the mid-major level. The coach raved about his motor, intensity, and ability to score inside and out.

“His game is on the rise,” the coach said. “He has the raw potential to be a very good player.”

This month is exactly how Williams pictured it, big-time performances and scholarship offers wrapped into one. It’s tiring, he said, playing as many as three games in one day, but obviously rewarding, too. Williams can’t but smile when talking about the offers, all the sudden interest after spending so much of his high school career in anonymity.

“I’m just happy, point blank,” Williams said, grinning. “I feel like all this hard work paid off.”